Rotary swivel



Feb. l2, 1946.

D.A.MURPHY ROTARY SWIVEL- Filed June 2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WQ() l Feb. l2, 1946. D. A. MURPHY 2,394,800

RTARY SWIVEL Filed June 2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY SWIVEL Demery A. Murphy, Torrance, Calif., assgnor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.,

a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 2, 1941, Serial No. 396,308

-. 12 claims..4 ici. 28s-97.1)

This invention relates to rotarylhydraulic swivels of the type employed in the drilling of wells,

' and is more particularly directed to the improvements to the washpipe and packing assembly thereof.

A rotary hydraulic swivel is employed for the purpose of handling` the introduction of the rotary drilling fluid into the drill stem from the circulating pumps.

is particularly subjected/'to abrasion from the abrasive iiuid, i. e., rotary mud which it is conducting. f

TheA principal objectof this invention is to provide an improved form of washpipe and packing assembly for use between the stationary gooseneck and the revolving washpipe or rotary spindle. 1 :v L

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form tif/resilient packing ring for use in the packingfasse'mbly. f

Another ob'jcyct of this invention is to provide a packing assembly'including a resilient ring V- shaped in cross-section, means for clamping one side of the V under-compression and permitting the other side of the V to form a resilient fluidtight rotary seal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washpipe packing construction assembly wherein the packing assembly securing structure is formed so as to prevent rotation of the resilient packing ring.

Another object of this invention is to provide a. washpipe packing construction which permits the packing assembly to be` slidably mounted within a depending housing lformed on the stationary gooseneck. c.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved means A.for releasably securing the washpipe to the rotary spindle.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from`the fol- As thus utilized, the structure Figure 5 is a sectional view showing afurther modification.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I indicates a rotary swivel which is suspended by a hook 2 upon its supporting ball 3. The rotary spindle 4 of the swivel I is connected to the kelly 5 which extends through and is driven by means of a rotary machine 6. The rotary swivel is provided with a stationary gooseneck 1 `which is connected with the rotary mud hose through which drilling mud is supplied under pressure.

This arrangement is well understood in the art.

The fluid passage 9 formedthrough-the gooseneck 1 is aligned with the fluid passage inthe washpipe I0. The washpipe I0 is secured to the upper end of the rotary spindle 4 forming the fluid coupling means through which the mud fluid is introduced into the central passage I2 of th'e rotary spindle.

The washpipe is secured to theupper end of the rotary spindle 4 by means oi a collar I3 which is threaded to the upper end of the rotary spiny.

dle 4 and is provided with the annular inwardly turned flange Il to fit over the annular bearing ledge I4 of the bearing foot I5 of th'eiwashpipeIU.

The washpipe I0 projects upwardlythrough the depending cylindrical housing vI6 `of the gooseneck 'I.

The foot I5 of the washpipe is squared oiI at I'I to abut the shoulder I8 of th'e"` rotary spindle 4. A cylindrical guide surface I9 is formed on the foot I5 concentrically of the washpipe axis and bears against the cylindrical guide surface 20 of the rotary spindle 4.

When the collar I3 is screwed downwardly on the rotary spindle 4, the flange II and lip I4 and washpipe I0 are moved downwardly until l the shoulders I'I and I8 meet in metal to metal relation. A packing ring 2| is located in the junction of the guide surface 20 and the shoullili In order to provide for the removing l`of the washpipe I0 from its seated position, th collar I3 is provided with a plurality of radially disposed cap screws 22 which are threaded through the collar I3 and are provided with engaging ends 23 adapted to engage under the annular lip I4v when the collar I3 is unthreaded from the rotary spindle 4 to thereby force the washpipe I0 from its seated position. This construction assures that the washpipe I0 will be raised ver-- tically upward andv not tilted when ejected, as

any appreciable tilting would injure the mating surfaces l1, I8, I9 and '20. Within the cylindrical-w housing I6 there is mounted a packing assembly generally designated as 24. The assembly 24 includes a plurality of `non-metallic resilient packing or sealing rings 25, 26 and 21 and a plurality of rigid metallic `spacers 28, 29, 38 and 3l stacked in alternat- 1ing relation. One of the intermediate spacers as, for example, the spacer 29, is boredl radially to receive a lubricating tting 32 which extends e through a window 33 formed in the cylindrical housing I6. The lowermost spacer 28 rests on the flange 34 of a nut 35, which nut 35 is threaded on the lower end of the cylindrical housing I6. When the -nut 35 is screwed up to operative position, the spacers 28, 29, 30 and 3l are clamped solidly in metal to metal relation between the flange 34 and the abutment 36, and i are thereby prevented from rotating. A sealing ring 31 is provided between the uppermost spacer `3l and the gooseneck 1 to prevent leakage of mud fluid4 behind the spacers and to within the bore of the cylindrical housing. The resilient rings 25, 26 and 21 are all of `the, same construction. They are preferably molded under pressure and heat to produce a continuous ring of preformed shape and inherent resiliency. The material employed preferably comprises a plurality of lamihations of continuous rings (o r a continuous spiral ring) of canvas duck alternated with rubber or a rubber substitute such as neoprene. This continuous construction has no joint, and is therefore superior to ordinary rings which are formed as split rings and then later joined together.

The rings are each formed with a rim or' axial wall 38 integrally connected with an inwardly j directed lip 39. The wall 38 is adapted to be axially compressed between the contacting mei tallic spacers 28, 29, 30 and 3l, while the inwardly slanting lip 39 is not held but is adapted 1 to contact the surface of the washpipe I0 to form a rotary seal.

' The spacers 28, 29, 30pand 3| are formed to 4provide depending annular rims 40 which encircle "ithe packing member walls 38` and these rims 40 rest on the upper ends of the spacers immediately below them. The dotted lines in Figure 3 illustrate the initial free shape 'of the resilient wall 38 before vcompression between the spacers. When the spacers are brought into contact by means of the nut 35, the resilient wall 38 is compressed and distorted to the shape illustrated in full lines in Figure 3. Each of the spacers is provided with a V-shaped recess or trough 4I' nations of the wall`38 impart maximum strength to resist the compressive stresses imposed under the clamping effect of the spacers. 'Ihe face o r bore 44 of the resilient ring 26 is initially formed slightly conical rather than cylindrical in order to seal effectively at both low and high pressures. The position 4of the lip 39 of the ring as shown K in Figure 3 is the position the resilient ring assumes under low or medium hydraulic pressures. When'subjected to high pressure, the lip 39 of the ring rests on the annular shelf 45.

A feature of the 4construction as disclosed is that the packing assembly 24 is easily insertable andremovable through the lower end of the cylindrical housing I6 since the spacers 28, 29, 30 and 3l are each mounted for free sliding movement in the housing I6. Any,v tendency of the rings 25, 26 and 21 to stick to the spacers does not thereforey prevent easy removal of the packing assembly 24 as a unit. e

The modified form of this invention shown in Figure 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 2 with the addition of a stationary annular skirt 46 depending from the gooseneck 1 within the washpipe l0. This arrangement provides'a primary grease chamber 41 between the housing I6 and the washpipe I0, and a secondary grease chamber or channel48 between the washpipe I0 and the skirt, 46. Grease injected through the fitting 32 iills both chambers 41 and 48 and thereby prevents the abrasive-laden Amud uid l from contacting the packing rings.

sealing ring 50. The metallic spacer 3io, is prof vided with an inwardly extending ilange 5| and a depending annular skirt 52 which extends within the washpipe l 0a. The telescoping portions of the washpipe Illa and skirt 52 are formed to proto receive the bottom of the resilient packing rings. The under surface .42 of each spacer is formed slanting downward toward the axis of the washpipe so that the wall 38 is wedged between the sloping surfaces 4I and 42.

` The inner surface 43 of the rim 4D, as well as the surfaces'4l and 42, are each scored or knurl'ed to provide roughened surfaces against which the relatively soft material of the ring 33 is forced under the application of the hydraulic pressure tohold the ring 38 from rotation. It will be observed from the foregoing that the surface 44 of the lip 39 is unsupported except for the rigidity of the structure of the ring 26 so that the face 44 is yieldably held in contact with the-washpipe IU. With this construction the laminations in the lip 39 are disposed at the most desirable angle' to effectively oppose the hydraulic pressure while the vertical lamivide a secondary grease chamber 53 having its ends deilned by restrictions 54 and 55. The primary grease chamber 56 between the washpipe Illa and the spacer 3| a communicates with the secondary chamber 53 by way of the restriction v54. The clearance space 51 between the upper end of the washpipe Illa and the flange 5| forms additional space for grease and furthermore is necessaryv for purposes of assembly.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wishto be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a rotary member, a stationary member, one of the members encircling the other and dening between them an annular recess, packing means in said recess including an annular resilient packing ring having a substantially V shaped cross section, clamping means non-rotatablyfiixed. on one of the members adapted to clamp one side of the V under compression to prevent rotation of the resilient packing ring relative to that member, the clamping means including non-resilient elements which meet in end to end contact to limit initial distortion of the resilient packingring, the other side of the V being free and unrestricted and adapted to Contact the other member to form a rotary seal.

2. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combina- `ing surface for packing.

side being thicker and extending inwardly on an angle, clamping means non-rotatably xed on the outer member adapted to clamp the axially vent rotation of the resilient, packing ring relative to the outer member, the clamping means includvi extending side of the Vunder compression to pre-1 fit within said counterbore, packing means operatively positioned between the spindle and` the coupling, and an'v ejector' element threadedly mounted on said nut and having a portion there:

ofv adapted to underlie said -flange',whereby un Ythreading ofthe nut relative to the spindle may be utilized to separater the'washp'ipe and spindle.`

'7.- In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a spindle rotatably supported by the body,.

, a washpipe carried on the upper end of the spining non-resilient elements which meet in end tol end contact to limit initial ,distortion of the resilient packing ring, "the thick side of the V being free and unrestricted and adapted to form a rotary seal with thefinner member.

3. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a rotary member, a stationary member,

itl

one of the members Aencircling the other and dellk lining between themanyannular recess, packingy j means in said recess including an annular resilfient packing ring having' a laterally extending lip portion and a rim portion extending in a substantially axial direction, separable non-resilient elements adapted to conne the resilient packing ring therebetween, one of Said elements having an annular shoulder and the other having an annular groove, clamping means non-rotatably fixed on one of said relatively rotatable members adapted to clamp the said rim portion under compression between said shoulder and said groove to secure the resilient packing ringagainst rotation relative to said member, said nonresil[ ient elements having portions adapted to meet in end to end contact to limit initial distortion of the rim portion of the resilient packing ring, the lip portion of the ring contacting the other member to form a rotary seal.

4. A washpipe for a hydraulic rotary swivel having in combination a tubular portion provided with an external cylindrical wear surface, a radially extending iiange on the washpipe providing an annular abutment on both its upper and lower surfaces, a downwardly facing shoulder formed on the lower end of the washpipe and lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper abutment, a cylindrical alignment surface disposed coaxially of said cylindrical wear surface and positioned below both of said abutments, and a bevel surface connecting said shoulder and the cylindrical alignment surface, to present a seat- 5. A coupling connection for securing a washpipe to a rotary spindle, comprising a radially extending ilange, a nut threaded on said spindle and having a portion adapted to overlie said iiange whereby the lower end of the washpipe may be clamped against the spindle, and a plurality of radially movable ejector elementsy mounted on said nut and each having a portion thereof adapted to underlie said flange, whereby unthreading of the nut relative to the spindle may be utilized to separate the washpipe and spindle, said ejector elements each being retractable to an inoperative position whereby separation of the nut and washpipe may be eiiected.

6. A coupling connection for securing a washpipe to a rotary spindle, comprising a radially extending iiange, a counterbore in the upper end of the spindle terminating in an annular shoulder, a nut threaded on said spindle and having a portion adapted to overlie said flange whereby the lower end of the washpipe may be clamped dle vand rotatablev therewith, a support on said. i

body, a stationary gooseneck mounted onfsaid support and having a depending'housing integral therewith, said housing encircling a portionv of the washpipe to 'denne a packingrecess there- Ibetween, packing means inv said recess including an annular resilient packing ring conned under f compression between twoannulai' non-resilient elements, a portion of the resilient ring contacting the washpipe `to form a rotary seal, said elements being freely insertable axially into said recess, an kaxially extending annular wall associated with said elements laterally confining the resilient packing ring and preventing contact between the ring and the housing, and releasable means to clamp the elements. in position in said housing.

8. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a spindle rotatably supported by the body, a washpipe carried on the upper end of` the spindle and rotatable therewith, a supporton said body, a stationary gooseneck mounted on said support and having a depending housing integral therewith, said housing having a central bore adapted to encircle a portion of the washpipe to define a packing recess therebetween, a

packing assembly in said recess slidably mounted with respect to said bore, said packing assembly including an annular resilient ring adapted to contact the washpipe to form a seal but coniined by the packing assembly to prevent contact wth the bore of the housing, and means in- 4 cluding a nut threaded on thehousing adapted to secure the packing assembly against rotation.

9. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a rotary spindle; a stationary gooseneck, a washpipe secured to rotate with the spindle and adapted to receive uid under pressure from said cant chambers being in communication at their 'i upper ends and said secondary lubricant chamber being exposed to the fluid pressure at its lower end, and means to inject lubricant into said primary lubricant chamber.

10. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a rotary spindle, a stationary gooseneck,

a washpipe secured to rotate with the spindle, a

non-rotatable depending packing housing associ' ated with said gooseneck and encircling a portion of the'washpipe to defina an annular recess for packing, packing means 'in said recess, a. stationary annular depending skirt formed on said gooseneck Vand projecting within the upper end of the walshplpe in telescopic relation, and means to inject lubricant upwardly through a portion of against said A. annular shoulder, a, cylindricalf `alignmentfsuriace below'the flange adapted-td said packing recess and downwardly through the annular space between the skirtand the washpipe.

11. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a rotary spindle, a stationary gooseneck,

a washpipe secured to rotate with the spindle, a

l packing housing Vsecured non-rotatably with respect to said gooseneck and encircling a portion of said washpipe, a pair of axially spaced annular resilient sealing ringscarried within the housing,

` one of the rings contacting the gooseneck and the other contacting the washpipe, a non-resilient spacer element positioned within said housingand interposed vbetween said sealing rings, said spacer element being provided with an annular skirt adapted todepend within the upper end of 12. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the" combination of a rotary member, a stationary member,

one of the members encircling the other and defining between them an annular recess, packing means in said recess including an annular resilient sealing ring provided with an inwardly directed lip, the sealing surface of said lip being initially conical with the small end facing the direction of the applied hydraulic pressure, means acting independently of said lip adapted to secure said ring non-rotatably withl respect to one of said members, an annular shelf associated with said means and extending under said lip but having initial clearance with respect thereto, said shelf being adapted to support said lip and prevent excessive deformation of the ring under applied hydraulic pressure.

DEMERY A. MURPHY. 

